Objective: Prolonged fasting has been reported to have a negative effect on patient outcomes. Although fasting is routinely practiced in the emergency department (ED), there is limited evidence on the current status and appropriateness of fasting in the ED. This study examined the status and appropriateness of fasting in the ED and identified the characteristics of patients who experienced unnecessary fasting. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed at an urban ED in Seoul, Korea. The fasting status and characteristics of adult patients who visited the ED and were admitted or discharged between April 1 and April 30, 2022, were analyzed. A checklist for discontinuing fasting in the ED was used to screen for unnecessary fasting. Results: Among 2,292 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, all patients were instructed to begin fasting upon ED arrival. Fasting was discontinued by the physician’s order in 300 patients (13.1%). Patients remained fasting for 92.0%±23.2% of their total ED length of stay. Of the 1,577 patients eligible for fasting discontinuation according to the checklist, 249 patients (15.8%) were ordered to discontinue fasting, and 1,328 patients (84.2%) experienced unnecessary fasting. Conclusion ED patients spent significant time fasting during their ED length of stay. A high prevalence of unnecessary fasting was identified in the ED.

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas or myomas), benign monoclonal tumors, are the most common benign tumors in women. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, abnormal uterine bleeding, resultant anemia, pelvic pain, infertility, and/or recurrent pregnancy loss are generally associated with uterine fibroids. Although curative treatment of this tumor relies on surgical therapies, medical treatments are considered the first-line treatment to preserve fertility and avoid or delay surgery. The aim of this review is to provide available and emerging medical treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. Many uterine fibroids are asymptomatic and require no intervention, although it is advisable to follow-up patients to document stability in size and growth. Fibroid-associated symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding and pain or pelvic discomfort. The association between infertility and fibroids increases with age. Treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids — include medical, surgical, and radiologically guided interventions. Various medical therapies are now available for women with uterine fibroids, although each therapy has its own advantages and disadvantages. Currently, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are the most effective medical therapies, with the most evidence to support their reduction of fibroid volume and symptomatic improvement in menstrual bleeding. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's personal treatment goals, as well as efficacy and need for repeated interventions.
Anemia ; Consensus ; Expert Testimony ; Female ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infertility ; Leiomyoma* ; Pelvic Pain ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, LHRH ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in reproductive ages, and it affects patients' quality of life and fertility. However, few Korean guidelines are available for the evaluation and management of endometriosis. Korean Society of Endometriosis reviewed various literatures and trials, and to provide seventy-one evidence-based recommendations. This review presents guidelines for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis with emphasis on: it's role in infertility, treatment of recurrence, asymptomatic women, endometriosis in adolescents and menopausal women, and possible association of endometriosis with cancer.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis ; Dysmenorrhea ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Infertility ; Pelvic Pain ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: This study attempts to examine the extent to which competencies were identified in a Korean community nursing practice based on the 11 core competencies required by US health nurses. METHODS: This was a descriptive research study, and the subjects of this study were 11 students who were in a four-year nursing course. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from October 19 to November 22, 2016. RESULTS: Core competencies in total were practiced in 60.0% to 98.5% of schools in Korea. Among these, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘high’ were identified as ‘communicating effectively with community nursing subjects and colleagues, and accepting various personal characteristics without criticism or prejudice’. On the other hand, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘low’ were identified as ‘to comply with social justice, public good, public health principles, and leadership in a community nursing practice’. CONCLUSION: This study can be used as a resource to categorize the competence of nursing students expected in the field of community nursing. Based on a careful review of core competencies with low practice, it is necessary to seek specific practical strategies to strengthen these competencies in the future.
Community Health Nursing* ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Leadership ; Mental Competency ; Nurses, Public Health* ; Nursing ; Public Health Nursing ; Public Health* ; Social Justice ; Students, Nursing

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii has been performed in 23 PCR positive blood samples from stray cats in Korea. We used 2 separate PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of SAG2 gene, amplifying the 5'and 3'ends of the locus. The results revealed that all samples belonged to the type I clonal lineage. Although T. gondii organisms were not isolated from the samples, the results of the present study represent that stray cats with T. gondii infection should be seriously concerned in our environment. Adequate and continuous control programs of stray cats are needed to reduce the risk of transmission of T. gondii as a zoonotic infection threatening the public health.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics ; Blood/*parasitology ; Cat Diseases/*parasitology ; Cats ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics/isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics ; Toxoplasma/*classification/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*parasitology

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of infant massage on stress, immune function and self-confidence in postpartum mothers. METHOD: From September, 2003 to February, 2004, 65 women who had delivered babies and were enrolled in the postpartum clinic were assigned to the experimental group or control group. In the experimental group, infant massage was given for 20 minute sessions twice a day from 4 days to 14 days after delivery. The instruments were Parental Stress Index, serum cortisol levels, WBCs, lymphocytes, and Self Confidence Scale. RESULTS: Stress scores, WBCs and lymphocytes showed significant differences by the time, but there weren't significant differences according to the group and interactions between the group and the time. Cortisol and self-confidence scores showed significant differences by the time and the group. CONCLUSIONS: Applying massage to their newborn baby influenced cortisol levels of postpartum mothers. Therefore stress, cortisol, and immune functions in postpartum mothers should be generally screened and follow up studies are needed for the effective application of massage in postpartum mothers.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Lymphocytes ; Massage* ; Mothers* ; Parents ; Postpartum Period*

Decreased number of the Neuropeptide-Y[NPY] immunoreactive neurons in the corpus striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat was detected by the immunohistochemical method. The animals were categorized into control and aged group and we used 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing 250-300gm for control group. 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing over 600gm for aged group. The number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in corpus striatum and primary motor cortex were counted under the light microscope and the following results were obtained. 1. The NPY-immunoreactive neurons were evenly distributed in corpus striatum and in the primaty motor cortex, the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were concentrated within the layer II, III and layer V, VI. The typical NPY-immunoreactive perikarya was multipolar shape. 2. Decreased number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were detected in some areas of corpus striatum and primary mortor cortex of the aged rat. 3. Decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were most prominent in the caudate-putamen and there were moderate decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the primary motor cortex, mild decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus accumbens but the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were not observed in the globus pallidus in both control and aged rat. NPY is supposed to act as a neurotransmitter of local circuit neurons in the striatum and may exert its potent vasoconstrictor effects on cerebral vessels which influences on the microcirculation of cerebral cortex and striatum. So our results seems to provide an important data on change of the function in the striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat brain.
Aging ; Animals ; Brain ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Striatum* ; Globus Pallidus ; Microcirculation ; Motor Cortex ; Neurons* ; Neuropeptide Y* ; Neuropeptides* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley